As Master Gardeners, we are all doing great things. Search for Excellence (SFE) gives us an opportunity to celebrate and share our accomplishments, by showcasing the tremendous talent of Master Gardeners throughout the state in creating innovative teaching programs. Their projects reflect the time and effort that is spent developing and implementing these educational tools. They are the essence of our mission as Master Gardeners to educate the public, and we salute them for a job well done! Although each submission had its own unique qualities, the judges chose the following counties and their projects for special awards and recognition. You will find the poster display of our 2011 entries in the Alexander Ballroom at the 2011 Statewide Conference in Santa Rosa June 1-3, 2011.

1^st Place:  Marin County Water Walks – The Bay-Friendly Garden Walks program is a partnership between Marin Master Gardeners and the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD).  Started in 2007, the program provides home visits to improve landscape water efficiency.  Specially trained Master Gardener teams conduct home visits to evaluate irrigation equipment, lawn use and maintenance, landscape plant placement, and watering techniques. Master Gardeners share tools and empower local gardeners to improve their gardens, conserve water, and save money.  Homeowners receive a written summary of the evaluation, with suggestions for improvement.  A statistical analysis is in progress.  Master Gardeners in any county could adopt this program.

2^nd Place: Orange County Farm & Food Lab at the OC Great Park - The Farm and Food Lab is a one-acre demonstration garden located at the Orange County Great Park in lrvine, California. The garden consists of twelve themed beds (Pizza Garden, Ethnic Garden, Edible Garden, Square Foot Garden, etc.) as well as an espaliered fruit tree orchard, blueberry container orchard, compost & vermicomposting exhibits, outdoor classroom area, and seasonal exhibits. Created to inspire and educate the public about the history of agriculture, basics of nutrition, and the origins of their food, the garden demonstrates best practices and sustainable home gardening techniques. It is designed, planted and maintained by Master Gardeners, who hold garden workshops (15 each season), act as docents in the garden, staff special events, and participate in organizing tours for schools and other groups.

3^rd Place:  San Joaquin County Garden Notes – After finding little success in convincing local newspapers to publish a column by Master Gardeners, the Writers Group developed Garden Notes, a quarterly electronic newsletter, which is distributed through an ever-growing email address list. This tool provides the widest dissemination of sustainable gardening information for the least cost. The current distribution to nearly 1,200 residents has broadened our reach and influence, leading to a more informed gardening community and, hopefully, greater acceptance of earth-friendly practices.  

First Runner-up: Sacramento County 2011 Gardening Guide Calendar – Sacramento County Master Gardeners create an annual calendar that blends research, members’ experience and UC resources to address a broad spectrum of gardening issues and problems.

Second Runner-up (Three Way Tie):

Marin County 2010 Fair Demonstration Garden – Marin County Master Gardeners have created a demonstration garden that is the backdrop for a sustainability lecture series at their county fair.  In 2010, they reached over 7000 people.

Contra Costa County Our Garden – Contra Costa Master Gardeners have partnered with the Contra Costa Times to create a large edible demonstration garden, where they hold seasonal weekly classes and maintain a help desk.  All produce is donated to the local food bank.

Fresno County Smart Gardening Conference – Fresno County Master Gardeners have created a full day conference, held every two years, that helps gardeners see the value of making sustainable choices through presentations featuring best practices and current research-based gardening trends.

Our Judges

Thank you to our wonderful judges, who evaluated all the entries with great expertise and interest:

Dan Desmond - UCCE Advisor Emeritus, Food & Society Policy Fellow

Desmond’s career focused on garden-based learning and agricultural literacy, as well as an agritourism facility on his farm where he raises organic walnuts and grass-fed beef.

Glenn Finkbiner - Monrovia Nursery

Finkbiner began his career with Monrovia Growers in 1987 and later moved to Azusa, California to serve the San Joaquin Valley sales territory. Finkbiner was a 2008 Search for Excellence judge.

Gail Fulbeck - UCCE Master Gardener, El Dorado County

Fulbeck has 12 years experience as a Master Gardener where she has served many positions in the UCCE El Dorado program as well as the California Advisory and Conference Committees 

Vince Lazaneo - Urban Horticulture Advisor, UCCE San Diego County

Lazaneo joined UCCE in 1977 and initiated a Master Gardener program in San Diego County in 1983 that supports 250 active volunteers. He has also been a garden columnist for the San Diego Union Tribune since 1983.

 Lance Walheim - Garden Expert – Bayer Advanced Lawn & Garden Products